Toonstar, a Web3 animation studio, announced that it will become the official Web3 partner of the national retail chain, Hot topic. The hot topic is one of dozens of retailers who attended the recent Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. The partnership represents a significant move into the Web3 arena for a major retailer, with NFTs and other Web3 activations being sold in retail stores and online. According to the contract, Toon Starwill be the preferred Web3 provider to produce NFTs and other digital activations for original projects and intellectual property developed by Hot Topic.
With more than 800 stores across the country offering products representing the latest pop culture trends and 11 million community members who are avid digital and physical collectors, Hot Topic is well-positioned to introduce Web3 to a broader audience with a powerful partner in Toonstar, the studio behind “The Gimmicks,” an animated series co-produced with Mila Kunis’ digital studio, Sixth Wall. The partnership with Hot Topic will further launch the Web3 movement in retail and create Web3 opportunities for Hot Topic's other retail brands. As part of the deal, Toonstar will launch NFT sales and unlock in-store physical NFT product trading, launch community Web3 projects in retail starting with “The Gimmicks,” and host exclusive Web3 activations for Consumers' favorite Hot Topic brands. encourage participation and ownership.
“We're on a mission to bring Web3 to the mainstream, and there's no better partner to make it happen than Hot Topic,” said John Attanasio, CEO and co-founder of Toonstar. “Entering the retail market is a huge step forward for Web3 adoption. And thanks to this partnership, buying an NFT will now be as easy as buying a T-shirt, opening the door to millions of new creators and owners.
“We strive to be leaders in building fan communities and providing those fans with the best products possible,” said Steve Vranes, CEO of Hot Topic. “Toonstar has the same goals in the digital world, and together we look forward to creating the most innovative and engaging fan-based digital products and communities in a Web3 environment.”